Police: Gardner man tried to get drug-filled radio from impounded car

His passenger already charged with drug possession, a city man was arrested after he attempted to get a radio filled with drugs out of the impounded car he had been driving, police said.

Wayne R. Hurlburt, 21, of 29 Graham St., was arraigned Wednesday in Gardner District Court on charges of possession of cocaine with the attempt to distribute and operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license.

Mr. Hurlburt was stopped driving on Route 2 when a routine police check by Trooper Chanel S. Moreau of the state police, Athol barracks, indicated the vehicle was not inspected within seven days of it being registered.

Guy A. Peck, 24, of Phillipston was a passenger in the car. The vehicle belonged to Mr. Peck's girlfriend.

Police said when Trooper Moreau checked Mr. Hurlburt's license it was found to be suspended. A search of the vehicle found what appeared to be cocaine and several different types of tablets.

Mr. Peck said the pills were his and he was charged with possession of a class B substance and possession of a class B substance with the intent to distribute. He was also charged with failure to wear a seat belt.

While Mr. Peck was being booked, Templeton Police contacted state police and said they were told there there could be more drugs in the vehicle. The garage where the vehicle was being kept was contacted and told not to release it.

The tow operator said Mr. Hurlburt had sought, but was refused, permission to get into the car to remove a radio.

When police, using a drug detection dog, located the radio, they found five baggies of cocaine in it.

Mr. Hurlburt is being held in lieu of $2,500 cash bail or $25,000 with surety. He is due back in court Oct. 12. Mr. Peck was arraigned Aug. 31. He is out on personal recognizance and due back in court Nov. 7.